Collapsible Pipe Handling Assembly for HDD
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal directional drilling (HDD) methods require manual handling of drill pipes, which can be labor-intensive and prone to misalignment, and lack efficient mechanisms for maintaining tension and transporting equipment.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a top drive and pipe wrench for hands-off pipe handling, maintaining alignment, and applying necessary tension, with collapsible and nestable components for easy transportation, including a skid with pivotally mounted pipe wrench, gripping arms, and adjustable pipe support plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual handling of drill pipes is used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but labor intensity increases and alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe handling assembly utilizes nested components where the pipe gripping mechanism is positioned within the frame structure, and the pipe support plates are integrated into the overall assembly. This nesting approach allows the system to perform complex pipe handling functions while maintaining a compact form factor that doesn't significantly increase overall equipment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe support plates are designed to automatically adjust and maintain proper pipe alignment through their pivotal mounting and adjustable positioning capabilities. The system performs self-alignment functions without requiring extensive manual intervention, reducing labor intensity while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Device complexity
If manual handling of drill pipes is used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe support plates are pivotally mounted to allow dynamic adjustment and adaptation to the pipe's position and orientation. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain precise alignment throughout the pipe extraction process, accommodating variations in pipe position while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe handling assembly is divided into segmented components including multiple adjustable pipe support plates that can independently position and align different sections of the drill pipe. This segmentation allows for precise local alignment adjustments without requiring complex overall system redesign.
3Ease of operation
If pipe handling equipment is made transportable, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to collapsible mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe handling assembly is designed with nested components that can be collapsed and stored within the frame structure during transport. The pipe support plates and gripping mechanisms can be retracted into the frame, reducing the overall footprint and facilitating easy transportation without requiring excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly utilizes pivotal and adjustable connections that allow components to be dynamically reconfigured for transport and operational states. These dynamic mechanisms enable the equipment to transition between compact transport configuration and expanded operational configuration without requiring complex locking or fastening systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for handling drill pipe on the exit side of the borehole in horizontal directional drilling operations. The system pulls the drill string out of the borehole and uses a top drive and pipe wrench to disconnect the individual segments of drill pipe from the drill string. Pipe gripping arms lift the disconnected drill pipe segment away from the rest of the drill string and release it into a nearby pipe rack. The components of the system are collapsible and can nest in one another during transport.